Electric clock.



No. 835,516. PATBNTED NOV. 13, 1906. P. G. GIROUD.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

EIIHIIII IIHHHIIIIm j [l f @www (/F E 1 V JUL-m14 No. 835,516. PATENTED NOV. 13, 1906.

P. G. GIROUD. A

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.25, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

Awww/WWW y UNITED .PATENT OFFICE.

PETER (ir. GIR-OUD, OF: FAV YORK` N. Y., ASSIGNOR T() AMERICAN ELECTRICAL NOVEL'IY AN l) MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEWv y, YORK, N.'Y., A CORPORATION OF NENV YORK.

4ELEC-nilo CLOCK.

Patented Nov. 13, 1906.

Application filed october 25,1905. serial No. 284.290.

To all 1071/0171/ it wuty/ concern/ Be it known that I, PETER GEoRGE GIRoUD a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric'Clocks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying` drawings, Jforming a part thereof.

My invention relates to electric clocks ot that class wherein electric impulses at intervals store up power in or wind a suitable motor, such asa spring or weight, this motor directly driving the cloclvtrain.

My invention has for its objects simplicity of construction and reliability and uniformity of operation, durability, and non-liability of derangernent. To the attainment of these desirable objects I provide a circuit-,closing device of exceedingly simple construction,

'actuated with a quick and sharp movement,

and producing its winding operation without jarring the clock-train or interfering with the proper operation ot' theescapement. The circuit-closing device is not only of exceedingly simple construction and rapid operation, but is'also highly reliable and durable and practically incapable of being retained in circuitclosing position so long as'the battery or other source of electricity will supply an electric current capable of causing even a slight winding movement.

will now describe the mechanism embodying my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will thereafter point out my invention in claims.

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the clock mechanism, the Jframe, and the winding mechanism, showing the position of parts at the instant when the circuit is closed and the winding operation initiated. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation similar to Fig. 1,-but with the upper part in section, the plane of section being taken in1- rnediatel: in front ofthe back plate of the trame. `ig. 4 is a rear elevation, omitting l stud and its actuating-spring- F ig. 6 is an i enlarged face view of the circuit-closer actu ating i)rimpulse-spring.

T he Vframe comprises a front plate 2 and a back plate 1, connected by posts 3, the front l plate 2 extending the full height ofthe device` l and being secured to a base 22 at its lower i end, and the back plate extending down only a suflicient distance to receive the arbors of the clock-train.

The clock-train is driven from an arbor 4, j ournaled in the frame near the lowerpart of the back plate 1, the first or driving gear 18 ofthe train being iixed upon this arbor 4 near the trent end thereof. A pinion 16, which meshes with this driving-gear 18, is iixed on the minute-spindle 29. The hour-reducing gears are not shown. The minute-spindle is suitably geared up to an escapement-wheel 50, controlled by a balance-wheel 51. The construction ot' these arts may obviously be varied as desired, andD they need not be iurther described.

The clock-train is actuated at a ratchetwheel 8, which is xed on the arbor 4 of the driving-gear 18 of the clock-train. The driv ing-pawl 9 of this ratchet-wheel 8 is carried by an oscillating arm 5, which is loosely mounted on the arbor 4. A spring 10 controls the pawl and is attached at one end to the pawl and at the other end to a block 11 on the arm 5. A stop-pawl 12 prevents rearward movement of the ratchet-wheel.

The principal motor for directly actuating the clocketrain is a weighted arm secured to the arm 5 and shown as comprising an arm 13 and a weight 14 at-the outer end thereof. The torque of this weight is assisted, however, by the tension of a helical spring 7, this spring being secured at its lower end to a pin 6, projecting rearward from the arm 5, and at its upper end to a pin 6', projectingforward from the back plate 1 of the frame. As the weighted arm falls its leverage and torque are increased, while vthe tension of the spring and its torque are correspondingly lessened, with a resultant constant torque exerted at the actuating-pawl 9 in all working positions.

The lower end of the driving-pawl arm 5 is joined by ya connecting-rod 15 to an actuating-arm' 17,1ixed upon an arbor 19, which also carries the armature 23 of the electro- IOO magnet and which is therefore actuated when the electromagnet attracts its armsture. Conversely, the arm 17 is actuated from the aryl-carrying arm 5 under the torque of t e Weight and spring When these bracket 21, which is also secured to the iront plate, as Well as to the base 22. The armature 23 is of usual construction, conslstmg of an iron par which stvmgs upon a medial ams in a plane parallel to the end faces. ot the.

poles of the electromagnet. The electromagnet comprises cores 26, screwed into a back iron or plete 27, which is secured to the iront plate 2 of the frame, and the cores are provided at their rear ends with enlarged end detachable pole pieces, consisting ot iron dislrs 28, screwed to the pole pieces. As usual, coils 25 are mounted or wound upon the magnet-cores n The actuating-arm "i7 is T-shoped and is provided with pins 30 and'3l, proiectiug rearward from the arm at the extremities oi cross-arm ci the i, and between thesepins plays thc tailpiece 32 of a "teleoped` circuit-closing lever, this circuit-closing lever having a short arbor provided with centerloearings in the track plate 1 and in s bracket 49, secured to the hack plate 1. The pins 30 3l are spaced at such a distance apart that the attracted armature may attain the desired momentum before opening the circuit by actuation oi the circuit-closingr lever, and this desired lost motion also results in a comparatively small movement ot the circuit-closing lever, as is desirable, sind this construction also permits a free movement ot the circuit-closing lever under the circuitclosing impulse, as is highly desirable. Upon an arm 33 of' the circuit-closing lever is secured a circuit-closing hammer 35 ot insulating materiel. Circuit-closing spring-terminals 36 and 37 are respectively secured to A binding-posts 38 and 3Q, which are carried by a block 40 of insulating material and secured to the hack plate 1 of the traine. These terminals are so located that the circui'x'i-closing,T hammer 35 will strike the lower p terminzil 36 and will force this lower terminal into contact with the upper terminal 37, when. the circuit-closing lever is given 'its circuit-closing impulse. To nicely adjust the positions of the spring-terminals 36 and 37, l

provide set-screws 41 and 42 on the block 40,v

semble back plate 1 and pressing sgainst a flat spring 45, this spring being secured to the inner or front tace of' the back plate 1 and being maintained by the stud 43 under sutlicient stress lto develop the circuit-closing impulse when released. The conical point of this stud 43 is smooth and glass hard. As the stud 43 moves over the impulse-s ring 45 under theiactuation of the circuit-c osing lever from the pin 31 o the actuating-lever 17 the conical point of the stud approaches a rectangular slot 46, formed in the impulsespring. lts movement over the tace ot the impulsesspring is necessarily slow, the motive torce being the `pull of the parli-lever 5, driven by the clock-motor and driving the clock-train; but when it reaches the slot 46 of the impulse-spring. its smooth inclined surface receives an oblique thrust `from the impulse-spring, and the retractive 'torce oi" the impulse-spring" thrusts it quiclriy forward. Thus the circuit-closing lever with no oostacle or resistance in its path, save the circuit-closing terminal springs 37, is projected quickly forward, and the circuit-closing hammer closes the circuit at these terminal springs. The slot 46 fue impulsespring'is of such width as to lir.Tl this movement to en ample circuit-closinf" ltuation of the terminal springs. The is thus ini stantly closed, the electromagnet is eneri giaedand the armature attracted. The actul ating-arm 17 pulls the p-awl 3. .':3 backward, l and the circuit remains closed iuitil. tliepin 30 ou the actuatinC-arm engages the tailpiece 32 of the circuit-closing lever and retracts the circuit-closing lever. The retraction of the circuit-closing lever opens the circuit and moves the conical point of the stud 43 'out oic the slot 46 in the impulse-spring and back into contact With the face of the impulse-spring, putting the impulse-spring again under the stress necessary for the development of the circuit-closing; impulse. The movement is completed by the momentum of the armature and connected parte, a spring 52 projecting downward from a lower post 3 of the trame in the path ofthe pin 31 on the actuating-arm to gently `arrest this movement. This operation elevates the motor-Weight arm 13 147 puts the motor-spring 7 under tension, and moves the driving-pawl 9 back for 'a i'resh grip on the ratchet-wheel 3.. lt is so quickly and eectively performed that the operation ot the balance-wheel or other escapement-controlling mechanism is not sensibly affected, so that'tlie continuity and precision ot movement ol the clock-train is not disturbed or impaired.

lt will loe noted that the circuit-closing lever is restrained in all its movements luy the impulse-spring 45. When the conical oint ot the stud 43 is in contact with the ace of the impulse-spring, the im ulse- L spring is under tension and a slight friction IOO ` part, merely actuated to be pushed in one direction by the in 31 of the actuating-lever 1.7 and to be pusiied in the other direction by the pin 3() of the actuating-lever 17, and having a small movement only suliicient for the effective performance of its circuitclosing function. As to the rapidity of the circuit-closing operation it will be noted thatv with` a conical surface at the point Qf the pin 43 inclined at an angle ofiorty-iive degrees, as shown, the swing of .the circuit-closing lever is as rapid as the retractive movement of the impulse-spring 45 andv that by reason of the greater radius of the impactoint of the circuit-closing hammer 35 the animer moves even more quickly than the impulsespring. y y

The electrical circuit, which consists of the battery, the magnet-coils connected in series, and the contact terminal springs, includes, as usual, a s ark-absorbing shunt-circuit to prevent spar infr at the contact-terniinals, this spark-absorbing shunt circuitcomprising a coil 54 of' high resistance in shunt with the magnet-coils 25.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown and above particularly described within the principle and sco e of my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric clock, the combination of a clock-train and escapement, a motor therefor, electric means Jfor storing power in the clock-motor, a circuit controlling the electric means, .a circuit-closing member actuated .by the motordriven movement of the clocktrain, and an impulse spring, the circuitclosing member and impulse-spring having inclined yengaging means whereby a` quick circuit-closing movement is imparted to the circuit-closing member.

2. In an electric clock, the combination of a clock-train and escapement, a motor therefor, electric means for storing power in the clock-motor, a circuit controlling the electric means, a circuit-closing member actuated in its movement toward circuit-closing position by the motor-driven movement of the clocktrain and in its movement away from circuitclosing position by the electric means, and an impulse-spring, the'circuit-closing member and impulse-spring having inclined engaging means whereby a quick circuit-closing movepent is imparted to the circuit-closing mem- 3. In an electric clock, the combination ol' a clock-train and escapement, a motor therefor, electric means for storing power in the clock-motor, `an actuatingarm moved in one direction by the electric means and in the other direction by the clock-motor, a circuit controlling the electric means, a circuit-closing lever, engaging means between the actuating-arm and the circuit-closing lever permitting free play of the circuit-closing lever in advance of the movements transmitted thereto from the actuating-arm, and an impulse-spring, the circuit-closing lever and impulse-spring having inclined engaging means whereby a quick circuit-closing movement is imparted to the circuit-closing lever.

4. In an electric clock, the combination of a clock-train and escapement, a motor therefor, electric means for storing power 'in the clock-motor, a circuit controlling the electric means, a circuit-closing member actuated by thel motor-driven movement of the clocktrain, and an impulse-spring, the circuit-closing member being provided with a projecting conically pointed stud and the impulsespring having a slot adapted to engage the conical point of the Ystud and impart to the circuit-closing member a quick circuit-closing movement.

5. In an electric clock, the combination of a clock-train and esca-pement, a motor therefor, electric means for storing power in the clock-motor, an actuating-arm moved in one direction by the electric means and in thc other direction by the clock-motor, a circuit controlling the electric means, a circuit-closing lever, engaging means between the actuating-arm'and the circuit-closing lever permitting free lay'of the circuit-closing lever in advance of' tge movements transmitted thereto from the actuating-arm, andan impulsespring, the circuit-closing member being provided with a projecting conically-pointed stud and the impulse-spring having a slot adated to engage the conical point of the stu and impart to the circuit-closing member a quick circuit-closing movement.

6. In an electric clock, the combination of a trame, a clock-train and escapement carried thereby, a clock-motor, electric means for storing power in the clock-motor, an actuating-arm moved in one direction by the electric means and in the other direction by the clock-motor, a circuit-closing lever, an inclined projecting part carried by said lever, the frame being provided with a slot located so as to receive said projecting part and limit thereby the movement of the circuit-closing lever, engaging means between the actuatingarm and the circuit-closing lever permitting free play ef the circuit-closing lever in advance oi" the movements transmitted thereto IOO Viig

from the ectuetingerm, and en impulsespring located in proximity to the slot in the fire-me and adapted to elegage'the projecting pet of the circuit-closing level' to impart e quick circuit-closing movement thereto.

7. n an electric clock, the combine-tion of a frame, e clock-train and esoepement eelried thereby, e olook-mo'to, electrie meme for storing powei` in the clock-motor, en eetulatil'lg-erm moved in one direction by the electrio means and in the other direction by the clock-moto?, e eirout-olosing lever, e ooneelly- @interi stud carried by seid leve?, the iaime eing pio'vided with e slot located so es to receive seid stud and limit tvhezeby the movement o the Ciouit-closing leve?, engaging mesme between the actuating-arm and the circuit-closing lever permitting 'free play of the oiouit-elosng lever in advance of the movements transmitted the'eto the actuatihg-ermhend en in'ipulse-slomg located in proximity to the slot in the frame, Substantielly as set forth,

in testimony whereof l have ei'lizi'el mjvrsignature in presence o'two Witne PETER o. emotion" Witnesses: W

HENRY D. i/viLL/ms, BERNARD COWEN. 

